Ludo and Coupons

Ludo's Auntie Penny died Sunday.  She was old and dearly loved. Purrs and pawhugs for Ludo's family. You can visit them on the Ludo, Ludwig van Doggy blog.


Jan was surprised to take one of those fancy coupons with a foil Purina logo to Petsense recently for a free bag of Purina cat food and have it refused by the store manager, who said they no longer take any coupon over $5 because they were not getting paid for them!  She made Jan feel as if she was personally responsible for the problem.  In the past, Petsense was very cooperative, even sending down a bag from their Griffin store a couple of times when Jan had a free voucher in order to do a pet food blog review.  So Jan emailed someone who is now at the company's Scottsdale, Arizona headquarters and asked about this. 

He responded, "We stopped accepting manufacturer's coupons for free bags a few months ago when we noticed a large uptick in the amount of fraud. When we accept a coupon, we don't know if the coupon is valid for over a month, after a clearing house processes it. We found that company-wide, we were losing hundreds of dollars a month because of fake coupons."

We understand any store not wanting to lose money to any type of fraud, but since we're a multiple pet household of limited means, Jan dances a jig (no pictures available) whenever she receives a free coupon..  We assume the coupon fraud problem is national, so we're curious -

Have any of you had a problem using a valid coupon - free or otherwise - at any store (not just Petsense) in your area? 

Oh, in case any of you saw a strange post from us in your Reader or on Facebook yesterday, we apologize for Miss Bad-Aim.  We were working on today's post when Jan said she needed the computer, reached over Percy, and hit "publish" before he could hit "save."  Yes, it was Jan's bad aim that gave you our notes before today's post.  . 

Cotton and County Kittens

Hey, Cotton here. Excuse me for talking with my mouth full but watching today's video made me hungry. Oh, for the day when I had that much energy. But I'll be turning 13 next month so I get hungry just watching those calories get burned.

Since a Petsense store opened locally last year, a number of cats have been adopted from there. It helps that their store is in the Wal-mart shopping center.It's easier for folks to pop in to see what cats are available while they are there shopping than to drive way out in the county. So this seems to be working well for both the store and the county shelter - and especially for the cats.

While Jan was there today, she stopped in and shot this very short video of three kittens playing. There should be four kittens but one climbed out several times and had to be returned to a cage. There are adult cats there too. And more at the shelter, along with a variety of dogs and puppies. So Jan thought she would practice making a video, something she hasn't tried in a long time, and put this together.  It's very plain, no frills, so don't expect violins and dancing bears.


If the video doesn't play, click here.

Cloon and Cotton, Judi, Mayzie

We trust 2011 arrived with a smile and a hug for each of you. If it sailed in on a cold, stiff wind, we are hopeful the year will bring warmth and mellow out.

Today is Sammy & Andy's mama's birthday. She's the lady who's been hatting the catties around the Cat Blogosphere. You won't believe this but she's mumble-mumble years old. If you haven't already, stop by and tell her how young she looks for her age. She'll love that.

Seriously, we don't know how old she is. We're just teasing her.

Happy Birthday, Judi!

If you remember, Cotton won Clooney's contest. Sunday Cloon arrived on his Harley and picked her up for their ham picnic. You can read the beginning of their adventure on Cloon's Easy (Rider) Like Sunday post.  As promised, Cloon brought along his associate "The Baby" and a special guest friend. We're all excited and can't wait to hear the rest of the story.  We'd offer you some ham to nibble while you read but she took it all with her. 

Mayzie's Dog Blog is having a Bark It Furward commentathon. We had one last month and it was a lot of fun. Milk Bone will donate $1 for each comment so race over to Mayzie's and spend someone else's buck. :) And you don't have to be a blogger (website) or a dog to comment.

Raider of A Life of Many Cats ran off to the bridge December 17, but the notice was just posted Saturday.  We know we've put in a few links already, but if you haven't already, please take a moment to leave a comment for his mom Laura. Raider was 13 years old and she is missing him very much.

And Echo's family is also broken-hearted. Echo collapsed and died very suddenly last Wednesday. He hasn't posted since Meeka died in July but messages can be left on The Daily Echo blog.

We send hugs, purrs and tail wags to both grieving families.

Jan stopped at Petsense in Thomaston, GA yesterday and the white & orange kitten had been adopted, so for the moment this calico is the only one left for adoption. They will probably be getting some new shelter cats this week. Jan has a short memory but she thinks the manager said they have adopted 23 cats since they opened in November. That's surprisingly good for this area.

Cats, Photo Contest and Bridge

Since a Petsense store opened in November, cats that would be killed at the local shelter are being adopted.  We stopped there Monday and photographed the new arrivals, and before we could post the photos, 4 cats  were adopted the same day.  When we dropped in Tuesday, there were 3 cats left with more arrivals due.  This is wonderful.

So if you're looking for a cuddly cat, drop by Petsense in the Wal-mart shopping center in Thomaston, Georgia.

We have a cute tuxedo kitten.

A sweet looking white and tabby.

And a dainty calico and white.

You can check out some of our local available dogs on Petfinder.


This is our friend, Gracie. She's not up for adoption. But we want to let all of you know about the Furriends of the CB Auction Christmas Photo Funraiser running through December 26 and all you have to do enter is to make a $5.00 donation to Brighton’s auction and email the photo to Gracie. (Check the auction rules for her address.) You can enter as many times as you like as long as you make a $5.00 donation per photo. Show something that you especially enjoy during the holiday time. Real photos or photo shopped photos will be accepted. The winner will be announced New Year’s Eve and they will receive a $20.00 prize paw picked out by Gracie. Help her make this a successful photo contest - please tell all of your friends about it. 

And Gracie adds, Any furrie can enter! We do not discriminate with the doggies. They are my pals too!!!

So find a photo and submit it before you forget. Your $5 donation will help with Brighton's vet billand you could win a $20 prize package.

TravisLittleMan's sister Sammi had to be helped to the bridge Monday. They're fairly new to blogging and his family could use some encouragement.

Also, Moe ran off to the bridge after battling megacolon.  He doesn't have a blog but comments for his mom can be left on the Cat Blogosphere. 

And our friend Genghis Khat's human Pellie has been very sick.  They tried to save a kitten they named Midnight but he was a feral and despite their help, he died in the cold.  They could use a kind word on their blog too.

Help Corpus Christi Shelter Pets

We are planning to post a fundraising commentathon shortly. Don't worry, it won't cost you anything but a comment. We hope your weather will cooperate. We'd hate to end up commentless (yes, we know there is no such word) because you're all huddled under blankets and can't see the monitor or reach the keyboard. So be sure to thaw out and have your paws ready to type - please.

We are happy to tell you the tuxie tornado was adopted from Petsense yesterday.  Someone was interested in the dilute calico, but if the cat isn't adopted by Christmas we know who has his eye on her.  ;)  Here is a photo of the one we were missing yesterday. 

Reminder, these are shelter cats adoptable through Petsense in the Wal-mart shopping center, Thomaston, Georgia.


We were working on a different post for today when we received an email from an animal welfare friend in Corpus Christi, Texas. In the interest of time, since this needs to be done today, we are just printing the email as it was received - well, almost. Even though most of you don't live in Corpus Christi, we hope you will take a few minutes of your time to contact these people and ask them to support "Crashing with the K9s." It is for a very worthy cause.  Thanks.

PLEASE EMAIL THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN A TOTALLY SEPARATE EMAIL ASKING THEM TO SUPPORT THE "CRASHING WITH THE K9S" TO RAISE FUNDS TO HELP THE ANIMALS! PLEASE DO THIS ASAP SINCE THEY WILL MAKE THE DECISION TOMORROW. PLEASE SEND THIS TO ANIMAL LOVERS NEAR AND FAR!! BELOW IS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT!

kevin.kieschnick@prosperitybanktx.com
cadler106@gmail.com 
johnmarezdistrict2@yahoo.com 
PriscillaC@cctexas.com
mscott@sanjacintotitle.com
joea@cctexas.com 
nelda@neldamartinez.com
lelizon@citgo.com
annetter@cctexas.com
aurorap@cctexas.com 
armandoc@cctexas.com
kellic@cctexas.com 
margier@cctexas.com

On Friday, December 17, 2010 at 5 pm, Animal Control Advisory Committee volunteers including our shelter manager want to “Crashing With the K9s” (hopefully). These volunteers will sleep in the cages with a dog to raise awareness of animals at the facility, bring people to our shelter, and encourage the public to adopt a pet and give them a forever home for the holidays. There will even be Santa Claus in the kennels that needs to have his fees paid for Christmas for the pets.

The volunteers have a goal to raise $2,500 each to pay their “impoundment” fees. As the amount is raised per volunteer, they will be released with proper licenses and tags of course! J

The donations will be made through PAAC – People Assisting Animal Control on their website.

www.ccpaac.org or www.facebook.com/ccpaac

100% of the funds raised will be used to pay for a part-time employee to work with the animals in the no-kill adoption program. The more we can adopt out, the more we can save and the less we can euthanize. The city has cut staff and we need help to save lives!

Cheryl Martinez

The Pet Nanny, Owner

www.thepetnannytx.com

South Texas Chapter President, Texas Humane Legislative Network

www.thln.com

President, P.A.A.C.-People Assisting Animal Control

www.ccpaac.org

Annie, Fluffy, Adoptable Cats

This is Sam. I'm the white one. Buddy and I are sharing host duty today because it's so cold we need the buddy system. And Buddy's teeth are chattering so badly, he isn't even talking - for once! So I get to do the talking while Jan turns up the heat a bit. Jaaaaan, you are turning up the heat, aren't you!

Anyway, our friend Gentle Annie has made a page titled Notes to Myself. It's short and pretty.

Fluffy of Creating a Likeness had to be helped to the bridge today.  If you haven't yet, we hope you will stop by and leave a word of comfort for her family.

The Petsense in the Wal-mart shopping center in Thomaston, GA  still has some nice cats up for adoption from the county shelter.  Jan was by there Friday before the naughty car broke down (guess what is for sure getting coal in its stocking this year!).  For lack of time, we'll just give you a quick rundown of what was available on Friday.

The tuxie tornado was still there, as well as the dilute tortie and 2 or 3 black cats. (So much has happened since Friday she can't remember.)



There is a pretty tabby and white cat (no photo) and this black, brown & gray tabby.

Any of them would make a nice pet.  However, we do not recommend adopting any pet as a Christmas gift for someone else, as they generally end up back at the shelter. 

And check out our Zazzle store if you haven't already. You can still order in time for Christmas. You can now order coasters or ornaments with your pet's photo or your child or grandchild's photo. Or even with your own photo to give as a gift.

Merci Intros Kitties and Attacking Deer

Hi, this is Merci. I asked to introduce today's post since I was once a shelter dog.

Jan has gone to the new Petsense in Thomaston, GA since it opened last month. She has taken photos of the cats there but has been her usual forgetful self (she says she's "busy") and never posted them. But she has finally downloaded them from the camera and she only took them yesterday. She thinks she should get an award for being on the ball this time, but we think she deserves coal in her stocking for not posting the others.

The cats are being adopted, though, at a better rate than at the shelter. It's in the Wal-mart shopping center and there's more traffic than at the shelter. So here are the cats that Jan photographed at Petsense yesterday.

There are two handsome black cats.  (We'll just post one photo.)  One of the males is about 1 year old. 


There are two dilute torties (tortoiseshells or calicos).  One was napping and didn't want to be disturbed.

And this cute little tuxedo is an absolute whirlwind. Jan had to ask the manager to hold him so she could catch a picture that wasn't a blur.  It's a male approximately 4 months of age and he can't stay still. Or quiet. He wants attention and he wants out of his cage.

These cats are available at the Thomaston Petsense store, but they would be adopted from the Upson County Animal Shelter. And they must be spayed/neutered!  It's a Georgia state law.

This poor dog slipped out the door and charged a buck and two doe.  The deer attacked and Daisy, a pit bull, has puncture wounds to her chest and injuries to her head, but will recover.  Those docile deer can attack your pet dog just as they would a coyote, if they perceive it as a threat.  Merci can remember a doe making threatening moves while they were standing still and just watching several deer in a clearing.  Jan was glad Merci kept quiet for once - she's a talker.  You can read the story here.

We only have one other pet blogger's store to tell you about today.  (Let us know if you have one or know of someone who has one so we can list it here.)  The other day we told you about the zazzle store for the Creek Cats.  Yesterday we learned their mom also has an Etsy store and she donates part of the proceeds to Beauford Community Cat Project and uses the rest to foster cats.

And of course, we hope you will visit jansfunnyfarm Zazzle store.  Ginger Jasper wanted a Santa hat like Buddy has, so we made a design for his mom last night - well, actually we made two so she could choose - and she very kindly said we can also sell them.  Most of you already know who Ginger Jasper is.  He's a very popular blogging kitty from the United Kingdom.   And he does make a cute Santa.



Santa Buddy and both of the Santa Ginger Jasper designs are available in coasters and ornaments for your Christmas decorating.

Jasper is having dental surgery tomorrow, so he could use some purrs and tail wags. 

Veterans Day Ceremony

Today is Veterans Day in the United States and Jan celebrated by attending the local ceremony at the courthouse. She said we can share some of her photos, including one you aren't going to believe. We actually convinced her to have someone take her picture today and she has given us permission to publish it. Yep, her first public photo.

This is the Color Guard leading the Upson-Lee High School Navy JROTC .

The Color Guard has veered off and headed toward the podium.  The rest of the group will line the street behind the veterans and onlookers in attendance.

Here is the Color Guard again.

 And again.

Most of the attendees stand, but a few of the older veterans have a seat.

If we understand correctly, the 5 humans in the first row in this photo include one LAVFW (Ladies Auxiliary VFW) state officer on the left and several veterans. The local post Cdr is in the middle and the past post Cdr/current Jr. Vice is on the right.

 The gentlemen on the left in wheelchairs are veterans who were brought from a nursing home for the ceremony.

The group wearing the white jackets comprise the Upson-Lee High School Marching Band.

This is the beginning of the wreath laying ceremony. Each cadet is assigned to lay a wreath for one of the following groups -

World War 1

World War II

Korean Conflict

Vietnam Conflict

Persian Gulf & Iraq

CDR Malcolm Williams performed Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.

A member of the U-L HS Marching Band played Taps to close the program.

One of Jan's favorite folk in Thomaston - he's always open to questions - police chief Greathouse.

And the photo you've all been waiting for - Jan's internet debut.

Yes, that is Jan with the yellow VFW apron and a bucket of Buddy Poppies and the little American flag.  She asked a bystander to take a photo of her while the veterans gathered for a group photograph.  There were a lot of people moving about and we figure someone must have jostled the woman's arm when she snapped the photo.  For some reason Jan thinks this headless picture is the best shot ever taken of her.   And, honestly, we didn't crop her head out. 

And our final photo, after the ceremony ended the veterans assembled for a group photograph.  We applaud every one of them for their dedication and service.


UPDATE ON KITTENS: Josh, the Petsense manager, left us a comment today regarding the kittens with the respiratory illness that are up for adoption. "The kitties have been taken to the vet for evaluation. We should have them back soon." We were really worried the shelter would just take them back and .... we don't want to finish the sentence. If you missed the kittens, you can see them here.

Welcome Petsense

Last month we mentioned Petsense is coming. Your response was the same as ours - what's a Petsense?

Well, today we have an answer for you. This is a Petsense.

Sorry the name is cut off but the sun was shining right into the camera and Jan had to stand sideways in the traffic lane (in front of a car) to get a shot.

It's something we needed - a pet store that sells pet food brands we can't buy in this area and pet-related supplies.  It also has a grooming "parlor" inside.  The store opened last week and is having several drawings for neat prizes, so anyone in Upson or surrounding counties come on by, check out the store and put your name into one or all of the bins for the drawings.  It's on Highway 19 in the shopping center right next to Wal-mart, so you can't miss it.

We think it's very unfair because we didn't get to visit the store and Jan only entered her own name.  We think she should have filled out a slip for each one of us for each drawing.  We're the furries, not her, so that seems only right.  Okay, so she'd get writer's cramp.  Aren't we worth it?

It also has about a dozen cages where cats from the county animal shelter can be displayed for adoption. Several kittens are the first "residents."  Unfortunately, they all developed a respiratory illness and we fear for the outcome.

But we'll share a few of the photos Jan took.  She wouldn't let us share the better ones because she wants to make designs from them.

There are actually 3 black kittens in this cage.  One is asleep in the litter pan. Notice the spot of red color to the left.  Each cage has a toy or two, something they wouldn't have at the shelter. 

 

The one on the right kept trying to jump down or climb to the next cage.  Now the one on the left appears to be considering the same move.

Now this one was taken just a second before the talker on the right leaped onto Jan's shoulder and started purring.  Regretfully, she decided it might be safer to take photos through the bars.  It was nice of Josh, the manager, to let her open the cages to try for good shots, though.

This little one never moved around.  He must have really felt bad.  He was asleep a few minutes later.

Look at those get-me-out-of-here and take me home eyes.  

This little guy looks forlorn. 

This shot isn't very clear but we included this little tuxie because it looks like a young Cameron.  Except Cameron has very dark eyes. 

Well, that's our tour.  We're not paid tour guides. We're just letting you know what a Petsense is. 

Dan Palmer, Hero to 3 Dogs

Unfortunately, this is just one example of animal abuse escalating into human abuse. We hope Dan Palmer will survive and be okay and the scum that beat him for asking them to stop beating the dogs will go to jail for a long time! And, please, may they never, never, never have access to any animal again! 

LONDON, Ont. - All Dan Palmer wanted to do was stop the dogs from being beaten.

Instead, Palmer was beaten and is clinging to life in critical condition at London Health Sciences Centre's Victoria Hospital. You can read the rest of the story here.




If you haven't voted yet, we hope you will take a moment to vote for our friend Bob. Voting is easy. Just click here, fill in email address and captcha.

We just read that our area will be getting a Petsense retail store in the near future. We don't know whether that's an economical and good thing, since we've never heard of Petsense before. But we see it will have an adoption center that will work with the local shelter and rescues. That should be a good thing.  What is really needed, though, is a change of mind-set for those who are blind to the fact that animals are not trash to be chained and/or ignored or thrown away.